From the Rabbi’s Desk
Parshat Ki Tisa
The Light of Shabbat We’ve all been consumed by things in life that require the attention of our every hour. When we have projects with deadlines that need to be met, we will work through the night and the next day to make it happen. During the construction of the Tabernacle, the first “home for […]
read moreParshat Vayigash
Night Vision We’ve come a long way with our ability to see in the dark. Night vision goggles can now be purchased proving us with a host of previously impossible nocturnal activities. Being able to see without traditional light is truly a great feat. Our Torah portion describes Jacob’s journey to Egypt. Jacob traveled there […]
read moreThou Shall Overcome – Parshat Vayishlach
Thou Shall Overcome A very big part of the human experience is “the struggle”. In life we struggle with various things. Every person, no matter how accomplished or however successful, will find themselves occupied with challenges at various points in their life. That being said, we all react differently to these situations. Some of us […]
read moreFalling Apart – Parshat Vayeitzei
Falling Apart The last few days have been filled with tragic news from all corners of the world. Every morning has its own horrific story. People are feeling emotionally drained, wondering how much longer this can go on. It feels like things are slowly starting to unravel and beginning to fall apart. Is there hope? […]
read moreUp or Down – Parshat Toldot
Up or Down Do you miss playing on the seesaw? We all have memories of playing on the various elements in the park. The swings, monkey bars, slides and seesaws are staples at the local playground. A seesaw, when being used properly, has two people on it that alternate between going up and going down. […]
read moreShabbat Parshat Chayei Sarah
Sometimes it doesn’t matter who we are. Sometimes our name doesn’t make a difference. Sometimes all that matters is what we are here to do. Eliezer, who worked for Abraham, was tasked with finding a wife for Issac, Abraham’s son. He thought he spotted the right girl at a well (the olden day equivalent of […]
read moreMade on Earth vs. Made in Heaven – Parshat Eikev
Man-made on Earth vs. Made in Heaven There are various meanings to the term “man-made.” In a world where so many things are made by machines or robotic assembly-lines, it has a positive meaning, one that connotes craftsmanship and hard work. However, another meaning of “man-made” is synthetic or artificial, a poor copy of that […]
read moreWhere is the Heart – Parshat Vetchanan
Sometimes when you are involved in something you don’t always notice the details. As funny as it sounds there are times that the most interesting ideas are passed by because we are zeroed in on other nuances. It takes a quick glance or zooming out and all of a sudden you take notice and almost […]
read moreSpeak to the Rock – Parshat Chukat
Do you speak to your rock? In this week’s Torah portion the Jewish people complain (again) that there is no water for them to drink in the desert. G-d tells Moshe to go and speak to a particular rock that has served as a water source in the past. Moshe famously hits the rock instead […]
read moreParshat Naso – Hair Factor
Hair Factor What do not cutting your hair, not drinking wine, and not coming in contact with a dead body have in common? This is not your everyday riddle, it’s the laws associated with a Nazirite. A nazirite is one who takes upon himself an oath for a month (at minimum) or for his/her whole […]
read moreAbout Our Shul
Located in a New Haven Landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and honored by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Orchard Street Shul was reborn in 2010 as a traditional yet “post label” synagogue after many years of disuse. We continue to build a dynamic community made up of Jewish people of all ages, from all backgrounds and levels of affiliation.
We seek to appeal to the Jewish self in us all, so we can join in a community in which every member of our family finds comfort, meaning, and spiritual connection. We celebrate our Jewishness, and yours. We invite you to join and experience our spiritual haven where you will be welcomed as family, find depth, meaning, and a new appreciation for Jewish life.
Orchard Street Shul
Our beautiful Eastern European Ashkenazi style synagogue was built in 1924 with a unique blend of Federal style and Eastern European architecture seen in our façade. The Shul stands proudly as a symbol of a once vibrant Jewish neighborhood, adjacent to Yale University and both campuses of Yale-New Haven Hospital. Today, the Shul is an anchor of New Haven’s emerging medical and biotech corridor. Jews of all backgrounds make our Shul happen, bringing Jewish life back to an historic neighborhood, in the only synagogue remaining of the dozen that once served our area. Now the only Shul servicing the downtown New Haven community, the sounds of Jewish life are once again regularly heard in this restored gem. You are invited to join your prayers with ours.
Read more About Our Shul, Shul History and Shul Restorations, and check out our Photo Gallery.
Connect With Us
We hold services every Shabbos at 9:30 AM, a Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat minyan on the First Friday of the secular month (see posted time depending on season).
We welcome your membership, and contributions, but most importantly we welcome you. There are no tickets to attend our services and, please, you should always feel welcome to be part of our family.